Frequently Asked Questions

ORDERS + SHIPPING

All in-stock orders are processed by our small team within 3-5 business days of your order date. While your order may be processed faster than this, please keep this timeline in mind. When your order is ready for shipment, you'll receive an email with an estimated delivery date and package tracking code. If your order includes a custom or pre-order product, the whole order will be held until all items are ready for shipment.

All receipts are sent by email, we do not include printed order information or invoices in our packages, unless it is sent internationally*. All orders are packaged in branded, heavy-duty cardboard boxes. All boxes, paper packing tape, inserts and fill material are all now 100% recyclable (including the stickers and tape!) with the exception of the outer plastic mailing label sleeve (please remove the plastic pouch before recycling the box). *International orders will include a printed commercial invoice or digital invoice included with the mailing label, depending on individual requirements by country.

Expedited shipping refers to the transit time AFTER it leaves our studio. Expedited shipping will not shorten the processing time of 3-5 days before your order ships. If you have any concerns about when your order might arrive, please email us prior to purchase, and we can give you an up-to-date estimate on processing times/when your order will ship.

Yes! We ship worldwide with UPS and DHL, both services include customs service and tracking. In some regions we offer limited USPS service, which does not include customs service or tracking. You can get an exact shipping estimate on any product by following these steps: add product(s) to your cart, then click on the cart icon and enter your shipping address. This will allow you to preview the shipping rate for each shipping method available in your area.

If you live outside the US and are considering ordering multiple items, email us and let us know the products you'd like to order and we'll send you an estimate for the lowest shipping rate available. Sometimes we're able to help you get a lower rate by packaging multiple items together in a single box, rather than multiple big boxes. If you’re ordering just one item, the shipping rates provided at checkout will be the cheapest available.

Absolutely not. Uline is a racist, sexist and evil hate group. You can learn more about our boycott here, and get great alternatives and additional information here.

Our products are sold primarily through our online store however Catalog Cards are now available at many retailers across the US- check the full list here.

GIFTS

We do not gift wrap, however all of our products are gift-ready in a carefully packaged box. All invoices are emailed, no printed purchase or price information is included in our packages.

*Some International orders will include a printed commercial invoice or digital invoice included with the mailing label, depending on individual requirements by country.

INTERNATIONAL ORDERS

Customers outside the US may be subject to import taxes, customs duties, and other fees upon the shipment's arrival in your country. These fees are set by the destination country. These charges must be paid by the recipient. Contact your local customs office for further information.

No. We are required to follow US law without exceptions. All orders are automatically submitted with full USD value on customs forms and will include a digital or printed commercial invoice when required by law.

We are unable to advise or estimate specific customs fees, as customs policies are set by destination country. Policies vary by country and can change at any time. For additional information, read our complete shipping policy and contact your local customs office for current fee rates.

PRODUCTS

Treat our wood products the same way you treat your vinyl records! Store products in a dry, moderate-temperature environment and handle with clean hands. Panels may be wiped clean of dust with a soft cloth. All wood is photosensitive and may change color over time depending on the lighting and UV conditions in your home. Even indirect, but bright natural light can impact wood color over time. Direct sunlight, harsh bright lighting may speed the color change of wood products in your home (and your records too). During shipping, extreme temperatures or abrupt changes in humidity may cause slight and temporary warping of wood panels. To remedy any warping, simply stack all your wood panels on top of one another, and weigh down with a stack of heavy books or other weight on top. Wood should return to a flat state overnight.

Treat our wood products the same way you treat your vinyl records! Store products in a dry, moderate-temperature environment and handle with clean hands. Product may be wiped clean of dust with a soft cloth. All wood is photosensitive and may change color over time depending on the lighting and UV conditions in your home. Even indirect, but bright natural light can impact wood color over time. Direct sunlight, harsh bright lighting may speed the color change of wood products in your home (and your records too).

Your tote should be spot cleaned as needed with a gentle soap, and laid flat to air dry.

PRICING + SALES

Typically we have an online sample sale 1-2 times a year, when we offer second quality, product experiments, samples and/or discontinued products for sale from 10-60% off. The best way to find out about our sales is to sign up for our email newsletter.

Free shipping is rarely ever truly free- the environmental impact of “free shipping” is pretty terrifying. For that reason, we do not offer free shipping as it does not align with our values as a business.

The short answer: Every product is designed, handcrafted and packaged by hand, by a tiny team of skilled workers. We design original, durable products, made with high quality materials. Also: lumber prices are at a historic high, with supply chain issues and increased demand!

The long answer: Our products are a labor of love, and we take great pride in creating a useful and durable handcrafted product. Our business operates on the principle that every element of our production should be responsibly considered and carefully sourced, so that we can create a high quality product for our clients. We practice environmentally safe production practices and purchase supplies and tools and services from locally owned Bay Area and California businesses whenever possible. When local isn't an option, we work with US-owned and operated small businesses. Working with local and/or small US businesses allows us to have complete control over every element of our products, and it helps support our community of local businesses and fellow makers.

CUSTOM

As of September 2023, we have permanently discontinued all custom products after 10 years of offering custom design services. If you are interested in purchasing design licenses for personal or commercial use, please use the contact form to inquire about rates!

Quite serious. We have discontinued custom design services after 10 wonderful years! I am ready to spend my energy elsewhere in my business and creative endeavors. There are no plans to resume custom design. If you are interested in purchasing design licenses for personal or commercial use, please use the contact form to inquire about rates!

RETURNS

We accept returns of unused product in original packaging and original new condition within 14 days of delivery. Sale items, final inventory and custom orders are not eligible for return or exchange. Please refer to our returns and exchanges policy for a full explanation of our return policy. During the holiday period of November 1 - January 15 our return/exchange period is extended from 14 days to 30 days from date of delivery.

Yes! For standard products, exchanges may be made within 14 days of delivery. All claims must be authorized by Koeppel Design by email prior to exchange. Custom, 'final inventory', or 'final sale' products are not eligible for return or exchange. To be eligible for an exchange, your item must be unused and in the original packaging. Please refer to our returns and exchanges policy for additional information.

DESIGN + PRODUCTION

All our wood products are laser-cut and engraved by laser cutting machines. Every other part of the pre-production and post-production process is done completely by hand. All products we sell are made in house, or by small independent design partners in the USA. Every product we sell goes through multiple rounds of inspection to ensure we're delivering the strongest, cleanest and most useful product we can.

All our wood products are made from an untreated and unsealed high-grade Birch multi-ply wood, which is carefully sourced and inspected for quality and consistency. We source the best quality Birch plywood with low/minimal mineral streaking, knots, patches and low glue content. This isn't low-grade hobbyist Baltic Birch commonly found at home improvement and hobby stores. All our wood dividers are 1/4” / 6 mm thick, and we do not use thinner inferior 1/8” / 3 mm plywood because it is prone to chipping and warping. We do not use medium-density fibreboard (MDF) engineered wood in any of our products.

This collection is made in the USA with by a small team led by designer and founder, Kate Koeppel. Koeppel Design is woman-owned and operated. All of our products and packaging are designed and manufactured by Koeppel Design in California. We recently relocated to Seattle from San Francisco! Products will continue to ship from our SF studio through the end of 2023.

A few of our products are manufactured by small and/or local partners, always in the USA.

WHOLESALE

If you are a store owner or buyer interested in carrying Catalog Cards or Placeholders please use our wholesale inquiry form to introduce yourself and receive our line sheet by email. We carefully select our retail partners, giving preference to brick and mortar shops over online-only retailers.